Wang Youliang and Madam Tian were momentarily stunned. In their recollection, the Old Man had always sided with their First Branch. They certainly hadn't expected the day to come when he would stand in opposition to them. This turn of events was something they truly couldn't adjust to, and finally, they understood the feelings of the Second and Third Branches from previous times.

However, the couple felt no guilt about realizing that the Second and Third Branches had received similar treatment before. Instead, they began to resent the Old Man for siding with the Second Branch. Did the Second Branch, being so wealthy, not have an obligation to support the First Branch?

It could only be said that under the Old Man's long-term indoctrination of the theory—the rich son helping the poor son—Wang Youliang and Madam Tian had clearly internalized this principle and had always operated under it as their standard. They were all surnamed Wang; why was the Second Branch living so comfortably, buying shops and building new houses, while their First Branch had to live worse off, struggling financially? At this moment, the couple completely forgot that their own household had once been much better off than the Second and Third Branches, and back then, they had never felt any obligation to support the Second or Third Branches. Their mindset had solidified: why should anyone else live better than them? Even if others were doing better, they should still be required to support them.

Under this notion, Wang Youliang expressed his dissatisfaction with the Old Man's words: "Father, you yourself said that brothers should support each other. Now that the Second Brother's family has so much money, they don't even think of me, their elder brother, who is still having such a difficult time. Shouldn't he support his elder brother?"

The Old Man was taken aback by Wang Youliang's question. He hadn't imagined his eldest son would interpret his meaning this way. Yes, it was true that he had always hoped the wealthier sons could help the poorer ones so that all his sons could live reasonably well. But now his eldest son had clearly focused on the necessity of support. In Wang Youliang's interpretation, "You are rich, I am poor, therefore you must support me." The Old Man was bewildered. Had he ever spoken that way?

Logically, whether brothers should support each other or not was ultimately up to their own willingness. But previously, the Old Man thought that if he mediated and spoke a few words, the supporting party would feel more willing and offer greater assistance. He had never anticipated that his interference would create two negative effects: first, the supporting party became even more unwilling to help, and second, the supported party began to feel that the help offered was their due, something expected and entirely natural.

The Old Man looked at Wang Youliang with a pang of heartache. Had he caused the eldest son to become like this? Constantly scheming about how to gain something without effort, how to calculate things belonging to others. Thinking of this, the Old Man shivered involuntarily. Impossible, impossible, how could this be his fault? He had always been doing the right thing! How could this be the result?

The Old Woman, noticing the change in the Old Man's expression, grew worried. "Old man? Old man? Are you alright?"

"Hm?" The Old Man finally snapped out of his thoughts. His complexion was rather poor. He looked at the Eldest Son and his wife with a complex expression. "You two should go out first. I'm a bit tired."

The Old Woman worried, "Old man?"

The Old Man sighed and said to his wife, "You go out too! I need to rest for a while."

The Old Woman had no choice but to leave with the Eldest Son and his wife, thinking she would check on him later. The Old Man's sudden change in demeanor made her fear something might be seriously wrong.

Once everyone had left the room, the Old Man lay alone on the heated brick bed, contemplating whether he had been wrong all along and how he might be able to change the First Branch's nature of always scheming to take what others have.

Since the Old Man did not side with the First Branch this time, Wang Youfu’s family, after opening their shop, had prepared for potential trouble from the Old Residence. They had even devised countermeasures, but when no one came to disrupt them, Wang Youfu felt a strange sense of anticlimax. This feeling was probably akin to studying diligently for many years, eagerly awaiting the chance to display one's talents, only to have the Emperor decree that the imperial examinations for that year were canceled...

Still, it was better that no one from the Old Residence came to bother them.

Before long, Wang Youfu's family's new house was completed, and Master Sun's furniture and other fittings were finished. However, given that it was a new house, people naturally prefer that when you have something new, everything that complements it should also be new. Thus, Wang Youfu's family went to town to purchase more household goods and placed them in the new residence; only then did it feel fitting!

Once everything was prepared, Wang Youfu's family asked the Master to select an auspicious date, and the entire family moved in. Many people arrived that day, bringing gifts to congratulate them on their housewarming.

Remembering the assistance Wang Youfu’s family had given them, Zhang Shi arrived that day with gifts double the usual amount, causing Yang Shi to chide her for being too formal.

The Luo Second Couple, as future in-laws to Wang Youfu's family, naturally attended as well. Upon arrival, Luo Second went directly to chat with Wang Youfu and the others. After Chen Shi came in, she inspected the new house front to back. Seeing it, she was filled with envy. This house was built wonderfully; when would she ever get to live in a house like this?

Many families from the village also came and were deeply envious after seeing the new house. Never mind the quality of the construction; the interior decoration alone must have cost a fortune!

Wang Qinghua didn't go to the mill today; he stayed home to help Wang Youfu host the guests. After all, he was now practically an adult, and it was good for him to start getting exposed to these social dealings. Moreover, since opening the shop, Wang Qinghua's progress in handling affairs had been quite significant.

Luo Second and Chen Shi watched Wang Qinghua greeting people at the door, finding him more and more satisfactory. Their future son-in-law was capable; their daughter would have nothing to worry about after marrying him.

Once Wang Youfu's family had moved into the new house, Wang Qinghua, Wang Qingchen, and Caiyun each got their own room, complete with new furniture. Furthermore, Wang Qingchen even acquired a small study. Though its furnishings weren't entirely complete, Wang Qingchen was already very satisfied.

Previously, in the old house, Yang Shi was reluctant to use the new quilts they had made. Fortunately, the heated brick bed was kept sufficiently hot, so it wasn't cold at night. But now, having moved into the new home, Yang Shi brought out all the new quilts and bedding. Sleeping alone at night on the warm brick bed, covered by new quilts, being able to toss and turn as one pleased—it was truly comfortable.

After settling into the new house, Yang Shi began preparing to cure some meats in anticipation of the New Year. The two ducks Caiyun had raised would be the first sacrifice, but Caiyun wasn't overly sad, as poultry weren't as cute once they grew up. Besides, her new favorites were Xiao Hei and Xiao Hui. As for these two dogs, they were quite unsettled after the move and frequently ran back to the old house where they used to live. Caiyun had no choice but to carry them back time and again until they grew accustomed to the new home.

As the New Year approached, the meats to be cured weren't just the ducks. That day, Wang Qingchen returned from school to hear Caiyun tell him that the family was slaughtering the pig tomorrow.

Wang Qingchen paused, but considering the New Year was still over a month away, he wasn't overly surprised.

"Second Brother, Mother said we aren't selling any of the pork this year; we’re keeping it all for ourselves to eat," Caiyun said, her eyes sparkling.

Wang Qingchen smiled and patted Caiyun’s head. "Isn't that great? Caiyun will have plenty to eat for a long time."

Caiyun scratched her head. "Yes, the pig we raised is so big, we can't possibly eat it all, but Mother said we have to cure all the meat and eat it slowly!"

The next day, when Wang Qingchen returned from school, the pig had already been slaughtered. The cutting board in the courtyard was covered in large slabs of pork. One basin held a full measure of pig's blood, and another held large and small intestines, emitting a foul odor. Wang Qingchen didn't look closely and went straight to his study, only emerging at dinnertime.

When it was time for dinner, perhaps due to psychological factors, Wang Qingchen felt he could smell something like pig manure coming from the plate of stir-fried pig's blood on the table. Thus, he only took one mouthful and never touched it again. However, the rest of the family was the opposite, eating with gusto. As expected, Caiyun ate until her little belly was bulging; one truly wondered how her digestive system could be so robust.

The day after, apart from a few portions set aside for gifts—sent to the Old Residence, Wang Youtian, Zhang Shi's brother, the Luo Second Couple, and Aunt Gui’s family—none of the remaining pork was sold. Instead, Wang Youfu and Yang Shi cured it all. After it was cured, Yang Shi looked at the meat with a feeling close to tears. In the past, she could never have imagined a day when they would cure every bit of freshly slaughtered pork for their own consumption.

Wang Youfu also felt a surge of emotion, more so pride. As the head of the household, shouldn't he be the proudest that the family's life was getting better and better?

However, Wang Youfu was still thinking about his visit to the Old Residence today. Since the family had slaughtered a pig, they naturally had to offer a filial portion to the elderly couple, so Wang Youfu selected a fine piece of pork and took it to the Old Residence. On the way, Wang Youfu had truly been focused on delivering the meat, estimating that the old couple's attitude toward him wouldn't be too bad. But when he actually arrived at the Old Residence, the situation defied his expectations; the old couple's attitude was surprisingly good—even his eldest sister-in-law, Madam Tian, was smiling sweetly. For a moment, Wang Youfu wondered if he was dreaming, or if that single piece of pork held that much power?

Regardless, even if the Old Residence was treating him well now, he had no desire to get entangled with them any further.

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